Reigning Indianapolis 500 champion Scott Dixon will drive de Ferran Motorsports' #66 Acura ARX-01b prototype in October's Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, it has been confirmed by the rookie American Le Mans Series outfit.
Kiwi Dixon could clinch the IndyCar Series title this weekend if results go his way at Infineon Raceway, but the 27-year old should arrive at the ALMS showpiece as champion regardless with three rounds to go and a 78-point advantage over closest rival Helio Castroneves. Dixon is team owner Gil de Ferran, having raced against the Brazilian when he was Castroneves' IRL team-mate at Penske, and will join the 2003 Indianapolis winner and regular co-driver Simon Pagenaud for his second crack at the 1000-mile Petit Le Mans, having previously partnered Stefan Johansson and Jim Matthews in a
Ferrari 333SP prototype in 1999.
Although that appearance ended in retirement, Dixon is no stranger to success in sportscar racing, having taken the 2006 Rolex 24 at
Daytona with Chip Ganassi Racing to add to his open-wheel success in the 2003 IndyCar Series, and both CART and Indy Lights before that.
"I am very excited about driving Gil's car at Petit Le Mans," the Kiwi admitted, "I know that de Ferran Motorsports has put together a strong team and I believe we will have a chance to win at Petit Le Mans. I would like to thank Chip and my Target team for giving me the opportunity to try a car in a completely different category. I am really looking forward to Petit."
de Ferran Motorsports only made its ALMS debut at Miller Motorsports Park in May, but immeidately finished on the podium and has qualified on the overall front row in three of its first four events, with de Ferran himself winning the overall pole at Mid-Ohio round in July.
![Scott Dixon celebrates Rexall Edmonton Indy victory [pic credit: IRL/Payne]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/473438.jpg)
